The Hero and the Swamp Girl Chapter 1

Swamp 1

There is a swamp located in the center of the forest where, even in the afternoon, people can hear the cries of an owl; even during the day, no sunlight is able to penetrate the dark murky atmosphere surrounding the forest. Feared by the townspeople as the “swamp where monsters come from”, this swamp is a place people rarely approach.

Well, duh.

An eerie swamp like that just gives off a strange atmosphere. Besides, before even entering the swamp, the forest surrounding it is incredibly lush and dense. Regardless of how the weather is, light never enters. In fact, it’s like the entire forest is rejecting the sun’s light. Located behind an extravagant town, the vast forest is feared by the townspeople because it seems like it is concealing a piece of darkness within it.

But, I know.

In this forest that is located behind the familiar town I was born and grew up in. The swamp that people fear and never approach is actually…

The perfect fis.h.i.+ng location.

“I got it! My third one!”

Holding my handmade fis.h.i.+ng rod in one hand and the recently-caught fish in the other hand, I made a guts pose.

Actually, in this swamp, you can catch good fish. The fishes are colorful with some being light blue, pink, and even fluorescent yellow. Although the fishes’ color are really flashy, for fishes living in a swamp, they don’t have a muddy odor and they taste indescribably delicious. You can’t quit after eating a bite! You can’t stop! Like Calbee! (You’re a little off there.)

In addition to that, when I bring them to the town market, the fishes sell very well. Although they have a colorful appearance, they taste addictive, letting me sell them at a high price. Not just a simple hobby, this [fis.h.i.+ng] is a hobby with practical benefits that serves as my means for living.

Fis.h.i.+ng is fun! Selling it [the fishes] is profitable!

It’s like killing two birds with one stone. What a fulfilling hobby and work!
I acknowledge that fis.h.i.+ng is a grim hobby for an 18 year-old girl. But, from what I hear from my female friends in town, the popular hobbies for them are lacemaking and embroidery. For someone like me who’s not good with small detailed tasks like that, those hobbies are impossible. Rather than lacemaking, it fits me more to knit a mat. Due to my nature and lack of friends that share the same interests, I always go fis.h.i.+ng alone.

Well, it’s actually a secret from my friends too that I come to this swamp. All of my friends believe that I fish from the river that flows southwest from town.

For some reason, this swamp has always been feared by the townspeople. Well, considering the location, I guess it can’t be helped.

But, from a young age, I have always come to play here. Secretly, with the purpose of solo exploration, I came here often. That’s why, when they say “it’s scary” or “monsters will appear”, it doesn’t really register in my head. In fact, I’ve never seen a monster either.

All there is here is an eerie swamp. Since I’ve hung out at this swamp from a young age, even its dark murky atmosphere feels comforting and relaxing to me. This dark and bleak atmosphere goes without saying that it is a comforting atmosphere.

With the earthworms I dug up early this morning, I enthusiastically shook my fis.h.i.+ng rod.

Today was a big catch. Uheehee.
Satisfied with my fis.h.i.+ng, I headed home with the fishes I caught. While on my way, I noticed that the town was filled with more people and was more vibrant than usual.

What is with this crowd?
Since there were more people than usual, avoiding them while walking was a huge pain. While wondering over the strangeness of this crowd, I b.u.mped into a group of high-spirited town girls.

“Hurry, hurry! They’re almost here!”

“Just one look is fine, I have to see! Yuusha-sama!”

It seems that a hero and his party are coming.

To explain it simply, there are several people in the world called heroes. Not just anyone can become a hero. If the Royal Palace doesn’t acknowledge you to be a hero, you can’t call yourself a hero.
I wonder if, at the Royal Palace, there is a Hero Exam?
Since I don’t have any interest, I don’t really know. Anyway, the approved heroes then go form a party and work hard to fight against monsters for the sake of world peace, I guess. And, among these heroes, there is a rank system.

For example,

S Rank     Excellent Hero
A Rank     Fairly-Well Hero
B Rank     Average Hero
C Rank     Newbie Hero
D Rank     Self-Proclaimed Hero

…is how I privately label the ranks if you’ll excuse me. Anyway, there’s a rank system. I don’t really know the rank details but D-Rank heroes exist the most.
…more like, are they even heroes!?
Also, just being authorized to be a hero is a great thing, in my opinion, but there are heroes that go even higher and are labelled as SS-Rank. Wow.

Glancing sideways at the people rus.h.i.+ng towards the town entrance, I rode against the wave of humans and headed towards my house.
Just one look?
No way, no way. I don’t have any such feelings. Rather than that, I have to hurry up and judge these fishes I caught! Freshness is the most important thing for these caught-fishes.
With those feelings, I urgently headed home.